Nacon Asymmetric Wireless Controller Review: The alternative to the DualShock 4? - Comparison: 34 controllers / gamepads tested, for consoles or PC

Even as Sony begins to prepare the ground for the new generation of consoles, announcing the end of the cycle of the PlayStation 4 and its controller, Nacon is marketing a new wireless controller, for a price of around 60 euros which will place in frontal combat with the DualShock 4. Its particularity, asymmetric sticks as found at Nintendo or Microsoft, and a USB dongle to ensure the wireless connection, on PS4 as on PC. But is it enough to dethrone Sony's official controller?

We were already surprised to see a third version in the top of the manufacturer's range appear with the Revolution Unlimited, and the late arrival of a more accessible model at a price close to 70 euros, actually called “Asymmetric Wireless Controller”, has something to surprise us even more and for several reasons. Already, the period of release of such a controller, while we are rather at the end of the console cycle. Then its positioning directly in front of the DualShock 4, with the main argument being its asymmetry at the level of the sticks. Finally its name, simple and unadorned, translated into French in addition, which is increasingly rare, and which precisely emphasizes this precise point: asymmetry. Because yes, the symmetry of the sticks of the DualShock 4 is debated, which can annoy players accustomed to Microsoft controllers, and being less ergonomic when it comes to using the two sticks simultaneously. And this alternative niche is all the third-party manufacturers that are rushing into it. Razer with the Raiju Tournament, Hori with the Onyx, Nacon with its Revolution and now this Asymmetrical Wireless Controller that we are testing today.

From a format point of view, this controller is placed halfway between the recent Revolution Unlimited and the DualShock 4. At the first it takes some of the curves, the placement and the shape of the buttons, but also and above all the USB dongle, identical. Once in hand, and aside from the asymmetry of the sticks, the feeling is nevertheless much closer to a DS4 with slightly shorter handles and less curved triggers. In the end, this controller has a good weight balance, shapes that are sufficiently adaptable to most hands and know how to be comfortable and pleasant to handle over long sessions. We can also say that regulars of the Xbox One controller will quickly find their marks there.

In terms of the finish, apart from the visible screws and for our model some slight traces of machining, it's all good. If we do not find the soft touch of the Unlimited, the plastics nevertheless seem of good quality, offering no creaking under the twist. The surfaces are relatively low-gloss, and therefore not really prone to fingerprints. Overall, whether facing a DS4 or an Xbox One controller, the Nacon model has nothing to be ashamed of and presents itself very soberly as a qualitative model.

Like any self-respecting PlayStation 4 controller, the Asymmetric Wireless Controller (that name, really…) offers a wide range of functions. On the front, two analog sticks, a directional cross, 4 PlayStation buttons, a touchpad and the Home, Share and Option function keys. At the back, there are simply the two slice buttons and the two triggers, cleverly labeled upside down, so that you can read their name by tilting the lever towards you. In addition, there is a mini-jack socket on the front, for connecting a headset microphone, a mini-USB socket for charging and a button under the controller to display the battery level. And if the controller offers two vibration motors, it omits the light bar at the back, the gyroscope for motion detection, and the integrated speaker, three functions which, decidedly, will still remain exclusive to Sony manufactures.

The front PlayStation buttons are, as on the Revolution range, larger than those of the DS4 and arranged in a slightly smaller space. The direct consequence is therefore a drastic reduction in the space between the keys, which leads the thumb, in contact with the four buttons, to have access to any of the functions or combinations, without having to move. This configuration is, in our opinion, the one that brings the best playing comfort, without loss of responsiveness. Except that with a slightly higher key height and travel, the spring struggles to offer the same rebound as that of a DS4, which requires a little more effort to keep up with repeated strikes.

For the directional cross, the Asymmetric Wireless Controller from Nacon marks its difference from the Revolution Unlimited with a more typical model. The cross offers good relief, easily identifiable by the thumb, a fairly large operating angle and rather marked directions. We are quite close to the Xbox One controller proposal, but with greater resistance. A choice that pays off for fighting games that give pride of place to quarter turns and other sequences of neighboring directions, but to the detriment of platform games and other gameplay where sequences of opposite directions are preferred. Obviously, the cross is still very playable, and quite pleasant by the way, in all styles of games.

We are hardly less convinced by the proposal made at the level of the analog sticks. Their placement is identical to what we usually find, their height is fixed but reasonably high with an angle that gives pride of place to precision, their mobility is really good and allows very fast movements. Overall, the result is excellent. But beware of sweating, their grip lacking a little relief and the head of the stick being rather small. Basically, it can slip and we are generally less comfortable than with a Revolution Unlimited with wider sticks. It is still very superior to the Hori Onyx on this point.

At the back, the L1 and R1 slice keys shine with their efficiency. The contact is dry and triggers easily regardless of the point of support, while their relief perfectly balances the need to be quickly identified without hindering access to the triggers. Triggers reminiscent of those of the DualShock 4, not by their shape, but by their resistance and their stroke. Fine models with a rather short action, for a good reactivity, with a pressure high enough to bring a little precision. If the proposal is different from an Xbox One controller or a Revolution Unlimited, it is no less successful and effective.

Let's finish the theme of ergonomics with a small defect that could easily have been avoided. While the DualShock plays on a difference in height, while the Revolution Unlimited places this button flush with the shell of the controller, here our PlayStation key has been placed too close to the directional cross, too accessible by a slip of the thumb. Result, it happens that we activate the function without wanting it, more often than with the other controllers mentioned above. Avoiding this problem requires a bit of thumb control, and therefore a bit of frustration. Too bad because the cost of a button like that of the Unlimited should not be higher than the one we have here.

The operation of the Asymmetric Wireless Controller is very simple, with a pairing that only lasts one or two seconds on PS4 as on PC, but it totally depends on its dongle and its battery. Clearly, the controller does not work either wired or bluetooth, and therefore uses two USB ports in the case of use while charging, one for the dongle, the other for the micro USB cable. And if Nacon had the good idea to put a button under the controller to display the state of the battery, that does not excuse the meager capacities of the latter, of barely 8 hours in normal play, and not quite 7 hours with headphones plugged in. We are still 10% below what a DualShock 4 offers, without using the gyroscope or the light bar, even though the latter is far from being a reference in terms of autonomy.

Finally, we still regret that the headphone function is only available on the Sony console, without it being indicated anywhere. While on the Revolution Unlimited side the change of profile made it possible to transform the dongle into a wireless audio manager, here it is not the case. Under Windows, the controller is simply seen as a game controller, when Steam takes it squarely for an Xbox One controller, which is very practical but suddenly rules out any use of the touchpad. In short, these last choices allow the Asymmetric Wireless Controller to be a good model for PC gamers, but without the little extras of the DualShock 4. In any case, we appreciate the quality of the wireless connection, whatever either the support, and its imperceptible latency. That is what is said.

This Asymmetric Wireless Controller leaves us with a good overall impression. A comfortable playing position, a successful finish, convincing action buttons and a use that goes well with the PlayStation 4 as with the PC, the dongle balancing advantages and disadvantages. Fans of asymmetrical sticks should therefore really appreciate. However, the formula also has its limits when compared to the DualShock 4, the functions of the latter not being fully reproduced. Thus, we lose the speaker, the light bar for VR and motion detection, without these shortcomings being counterbalanced by a gain in autonomy. Similarly, if the management of audio is good on PS4, it is sadly absent on Windows, as for the DualShock 4, while the Revolution Unlimited had offered us this additional saving function. Added to this are some wanderings in terms of ergonomics, between somewhat slippery sticks and an overly accessible PlayStation button, which narrowly prevent this Asymmetric Wireless Controller from being considered a DualShock 4 Killer. Still, we are in the presence of the most credible alternative there is, the kind to convince players accustomed to Microsoft and Nintendo controllers. In this sense, Nacon's bet has paid off.